Arbroath test for confident Albion

Aug 29 2008 by Donald Morton, Stirling Observer Friday

STIRLING Albion boss Allan Moore believes his team can claim their first win of the season at Arbroath tomorrow (Saturday) after last week’sstirring fightback against Ayr United.

The Binos battled back from two goals down to draw 2-2 with the league leaders but are still searching for a victory after two away defeats and two home draws in Division Two so far.

Albion played some good stuff against the Honest Men but Moore knows that a win is vital to push his team up the table ahead of the international break. There are no SFL games on September 6 because of Scotland’s World Cup qualifier in Macedonia and they resume at Forthbank on September 13 against an Alloa side also yet to win.

Moore said: “The comeback against Ayr will have given the players a bit of confidence but we need to stop losing so many soft goals and also take more of our chances. We have played well at times but it is time to convert that into victories.

“I was impressed by Arbroath when they beat us in the League Cup but we could have killed the game off when we went ahead and it was a bad mistake from our goalkeeper that let them back into it. There is not much between the teams in this league but we have to push on.

Opportunities

“I would be more concerned if we weren’t creating chances but we have had lots of opportunities. I think it’s fair to say that we have not really found our shooting boots yet but I think it will come.”

Stirling’s fans – some of who are planning to don beachwear for the trip to the seaside town – would be forgiven for travelling north low on confidence.

Albion have suffered eight successive away league losses since beating Clyde 3-1 at Broadwood in February and have a dreadful recent record at Gayfield. The 3-2 defeat in the Co-operative Insurance Cup was just the latest in a sequence of poor results that goes back to 1998, when John Philliben’s men secured a 3-0 triumph in the North East.

There are unlikely to be many changes to the side that drew 2-2 with Ayr and Martin Grehan could again fill in wide on the left as Stewart Devine is sidelined by a groin problem that is due to be assessed by a specialist.

That means David McKenna will have another chance to end a goal drought that goes all the way back to November when he partners Ian Harty in attack. Two players who won’t feature are defenders Sean Roycroft and Kevin Ross as both are short of fitness.

Moore added: “We are still looking to add to the squad and it would probably be a midfielder on a loan deal. I am working to bring someone in between now and the transfer window closing on Monday night but it depends on finance.”

Arbroath impressed with a vibrant attacking display when the teams met three weeks ago, having been promoted via the play-offs. John McGlashan’s men began the season with a 4-1 thumping of Alloa then drew 1-1 at Peterhead. However, they have lost their last two SFL matches – 2-1 at Ayr and 1-0 at home to East Fife.

The Red Lichties’ reward for dumping Albion out of the cup was a home tie on Wednesday and they turned in a superb performance against SPL outfit Inverness Caley Thistle, drawing 2-2 after extra time only to lose on penalties.

Stirling will hope to take advantage of any fatigue as they bid to get that first win in a match that will be handled by experienced referee Brian Winter.